What?s Up With Heaven - Part 2

Are you doing tonight is increasingly using noticeably beautiful with the new place of the will thorium to record the beverage or more explains what you will be in for a pleasant surprise when you arrive. And for that heaven is in for a very real place finishers seven compelling reasons from God's word to prove his resume was David introduces the conclusion is missing. What's up with heaven will thank you for joining us today for this additional Turning Point as we are just at the beginning of this series on heaven and as we entered yesterday we were talking about where heaven is where is up sounds like a crazy question, but as we discussed yesterday, depending on where you happen to be on the earth up could be any direction. There is and we know that Jesus came back from heaven and he descended to earth, so will answer that question here today along with the many other things that will be helpful to you as you think about heaven. Turning Point. July is leather month it's a month when we we really ask you to make a special effort to send a letter to Turning Point can let us know what this ministry on the radio five days a week is meaning in your life. Maybe something is happening alike because of what you've heard on turning 40 in just been blessed or you have a favorite series that you love or maybe it's the magazine that's come into your life to the radio ministry. Now you followers either online or with the magazine that's mailed to your home. Whatever it is that God is using from this ministry to touch you, we'd like you to tell us about it and when you do will read carefully and you'll help us make plans for the future, I promise you that's how this all happens. That's how we have come to the place where we are today. Letter month is important and I hope you take the time to be involved. Right now we need to get back to our discussion of what's up with heaven. So we are.

Some say heaven or hell is whatever you make in this life.

Projection of the best in yourself Jesus that I go to prepare a place for you, and I believe that there is a little place called heaven if you ask me exactly where it is. I don't know that I can answer that totally with authority, but let me tell you what I believe the Bible teaches most of the time when we talk about it when we say it's going heaven is Ephesians 410 says that he who descended is also the one who ascended far above the heavens, that he might fill all things. And when Jesus was ready to go back to heaven. In his ascension in acts chapter 1 verses 10 and 11 we read while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, he went up two men stood by them in white apparel also said that if you stand gazing the same Jesus who was taken from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you so I'm going to heaven so we would have to assume that heaven is by which way is if we say it is in the direction at right angles with the Earth's surface. Whatever we may happen to be, then it would be in a different direction from every point, you according to this would be everywhere. In general, and nowhere in particular, it would be different if you were in China than it is if you're in America is trying to help you with this. If I can. Where is heaven heaven is up to read with me a passage that gives us a little information on Isaiah chapter 14 has to do with the issue of Satan and his being kicked out of heaven. But notice chapter 14 for you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will my throne above the stars of God. I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north, just underline that last phrase referring to the place where he was, as heaven he refers to in this chapter is the farthest sides of the north. Now, no matter what part of the you are on no matter where you are standing north will always be up. It would seem reasonable to conclude that heaven is somewhere in the northern heavens beyond the reach of the astronomers powerful telescope and scientists tell us there is such a place that seems to be somewhat vacant of stars and galaxies and it is in the northern heavens, and most scholars want to particularly place heaven in the third heaven section say it's in the northern part of the third heaven. Now when I try to explain it to my wife she said honey all the people who come to our church from the South are going to be real mad at you. Heaven is not in the South. It's in the north just going to have to take it by faith.

That's what the Bible says and will deal with that whole issue later. I so heaven is a place as you stay with us through this series, I want to give you such specific details about the nature heaven that you will never again doubt that you know there's an issue that I need to deal with sometimes people say will heaven is so magnificent you know the mind can conceive of it. The mind can't nonetheless not true in the passage that says that heaven is such a place that we cannot conceive of it. The next verse says, but it has been revealed to us what it is because it's in the word of God's amazing is amazing and so much fun because most people don't know about.

We just don't know if we understood everything the Bible tells us about heaven. We have such a longing to be there.

It would occupy our attention and our thought process heavens, a place that I want you to notice. Lastly that happens important because of the preciousness of heaven is a precious place. Jeremiah was a precious because everything that is near and dear to you and me everything that's important to a person who's a Christ follower everything that's meaningful to anyone who says that they love God and their followers of Christ. Everything important to them is in him everything.

First of all let me tell you your redeemers in heaven. You know that this is what it says in Hebrews 9 for Christ is not entered the holy place made with hands, which are copies of the true but he has entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Our Redeemer is in heaven.

You know, we can argue a lot about heaven and its beauty and were gonna take it apart and put back together with its interesting when you knew all that I have a feeling when we get to heaven. We see the golden streets and the gates of pearl and all of those other things which are really true.

They're going to fade into insignificance when we see the Savior when we get our eyes upon the one who paid the penalty for our sin and hung them across the river to see the nail prints in his hands and perhaps even the place with a crown of thorns crushed as well and put our hand in the side with a spear was Jesus will appear. I believe in heaven throughout eternity is the Lamb of God in our Redeemer, and he will carry with him throughout eternity. The scars of our redemption and when we see Jesus.

Heaven will really be heaven. Everything else will pale in insignificance.

One author that I read said if he could be in heaven and just people through a keyhole for one second every thousand years and see Jesus it be worth going to Tyson was going be far better than that. I don't know how it all works but were going to be able to fellowship with him personally and know him in a way that's even beyond our knowledge of him now. Our Redeemer is in heaven. And then secondly all relationships are in heaven. Arctic. If you have loved ones who have died in their questions there in heaven.

You think about heaven just because of that my father told me. Toward the end of his life. He said you know, one of the things I did know this countertop is you have more friends in heaven.

Then you have on earth and he was right about that is as natural as a gradual thing as you get older you hear about somebody was a contemporary of yours is in heaven. And now here we are gone and I were the patriarchs in our family because our parents.

All four of them are gone there in heaven that see our family and how I want you to read with me.

This verse was 12 when the writer of Hebrews says to the Gen. assembly and the church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, this is a reference to the population of heaven and the fact that our loved ones are there all Redeemer will be there but I like Windsor thereto, and you will have a chance to interact with them and people are going to say to me you know each other in heaven, will you just keep coming and I'll help you understand that surely you will think enough the ladies home Journal ran a poll I can believe he did this for me.

It's a wonderful and the question was who would you most like to see first in heaven and here are the results. 31% said mother. 16% said father and 10% said spouse is a pretty sad story). It is going on that we don't know. I don't know maybe it was going to ask the question.

You know, I'm not sure what I redeemers in heaven our relatives are in heaven. Notice 30 I resources are in heaven. First Peter one, three and four says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Watch this to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled. That does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you when you became a Christian became your father and you know what when God became your father made you an heir. You are an heir of God and you now have an inheritance and Peter says that inheritance has gone ahead of you.

It's preserved in heaven forever. Cannot ever go away. It's not going to be touched by inflation is not going to be hurt by any of the ups and downs that we experience economically. Here you have an inheritance in heaven that is preserved for you that your name on it. Your inheritance resources and have a number for your residence is in heaven now not just talking about where you live on talking here about your citizenship.

Philippians 320 says it this way for our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior Lord Jesus Christ friends, we are not citizens primarily on this land when you get your passport and you have to put down where you were born in your place of residence. You usually put. I was born in Toledo Ohio and I live in San Diego County, but my real residence is in heaven. I am an ambassador. I'm on a visa down here and I'm just trying to represent my country best and represent my Savior.

Best this world is not my home, I'm just passing through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue and my citizenship is in heaven. That's why Paul tells us, set your affection on things above and not on things below, because once again, if you forget about heaven and you never look up all you got to do is look around and I'll tell you what, looking around to get real depressing. Amen. That's why we need to look up.

We need to be reminded that we are citizens of another place in one of these days were gone home to the homeland and will be at home with Jesus forever.

I redeemers in heaven. All relationships are in heaven. Our resources are in heaven are residences in heaven.

Our reward is in heaven. Matthew 512 says rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.

One of the messages during the series on the boat to the rewards of heaven. Did you know there are five crowns that are available to those of us were Christians that we can earn while on this earth are you in the running for a crown. Did you know that such a thing existed. Some people say well it doesn't seem spiritual to be looking for reward I'll tell you something, God is into rewards and all through the Bible, God is into motivation and if you don't believe that you read the Scripture, God wants us to be faithful. He holds out for us a crown that we can aspire to and one day in heaven were going to get our rewards, crowns will be given to us and then told to cast those crowns at the feet of Jesus in an act of worship that will be unlike anything we've ever experienced before. I play I will be empty-handed. I pray I will be in the line with no crowns to get back to my Lord, our rewards are in heaven and that our riches are in heaven. Matthew six says that were not to lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven were neither moth and rust destroy is where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Let me just touch on this briefly the way you send your treasures to heaven. Listen to me. The only thing that's going to go from here to there and the only way you can get your treasure from here to there is too invested in the things that are going there. The only things that are going there from this earth are the souls of men and women and the word of God.

So if I were you, and you're trying to build a little equity in heaven I'd be investing myself. Both my personal resources by way of talent and time and treasure in the eternal souls of men and the eternal Word of God because when you get to heaven. That's the only thing you're going to see that went on before you that's invested there at this present time are you headed toward your treasure. I hope you are finally finished our reservation is in heaven.

This is the most important thing. Revelation 2127 says this but there shall by no means enter into heaven. Anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. The Bible says that in heaven there is a book a registry's called the Lamb's book of life and the names of all who will be in heaven are recorded in the book somebody says I wonder if it's computerized. I don't know, but it's a book however you want to say and there's a place in that for your name and phone line.

Jesus said to his disciples. On one occasion, nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven asking this question is your name written in heaven. You have a reservation in heaven because one day to stand before God and he's going to say to you, why should I let you into my heaven, and if you can't say with authority.

My name is in the book.

I have a reservation. I have put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior and therefore I qualified to come in.

If you don't have that power that strength that confidence you will never ever be in heaven with Adam Metzger is a professional singer and she tells a story that illustrates the importance of having your name written in the book several years ago, Ruth Anna was asked to sing at a wedding in Seattle where she lives and in her story. She says it was a very very plush posh wedding. One of the wealthiest families in the city. Their daughter was getting married and she was asked to be the soloist and she was excited about the invitation for two reasons.

First of all, was quite an event. But secondly the reception for this wedding was going to be held on the top two floors of the Columbia Tower, the tallest building in the northwest and very very exclusive and she couldn't help but think about how much fun it would be for her and her husband Roy to go to the reception so the wedding came in when it was over they drove down to the towers and they went to the reception desk and there was a tuxedo addressed maître d'. There was introducing everyone in that he was offering luscious hors d'oeuvres and exotic averages as they came to this place, the bride and groom approached the beautiful glass and brass staircase that led up to the top floor someone ceremoniously cut a satin ribbon draped across the bottom of the stairs. They announced the wedding feast was about to begin. The bride and groom ascended the stairs, followed by all other guests at the top of the stairs the maître d' with the bound book greeted the guests outside the doors may have your name please. He said I am Ruth Anna Metzger and this is my husband Roy. He searched the animals, finding and he said, would you spell it again.

Ruth Anna spelled her name out very slowly. After searching the book the maître d' looked up and said I'm sorry but your name is in here must be some mistake. Ruth Anna said I'm the singer I sang for the wedding and the gentleman answered. It doesn't matter who you are what you did without your name in the book you cannot attend the banquet. He motioned to a waiter and called him over and he said show these people to the service elevator.

Please, and they were ushered out of that area of the towers past beautifully decorated tables that were laden with shrimp and coal smoked salmon magnificent carved ice sculptures and adjacent to the banquet area. There was an orchestra preparing to perform all of them dressed in white tuxedos. The waiter led Ruth Anna and Roy to the service elevator ushered them in and pushed G for the parking garage. After locating the car driving out the area several miles in silence. Roy reached over his hand and put it on Ruthanne as Nguyen said sweetheart what happened while she said when the invitations arrived, I was just jammed up busy.

I never bothered to RSVP and decide I was the singer Shirley. I could go to the reception without returning the RSVP. Ruth Anna started to cry, not only because she had missed the most lavish banquet she'd ever been invited to, but also because she suddenly had a small taste of what it will be like someday for people as they stand before Christ, and they find their names are not written in the Lamb's book of life story.

She said, and then they will be put on an elevator that doesn't stop at the garage in that same chapter where Jesus said in my house are many mansions. He tells us how to make the reservation. I want to tell you something. That's the greatest good news. I could ever say Almighty God is still accepting reservations for if you've never put your trust in Christ, not to late not too late yet to remember.

I read to you from John chapter 14 and I said that when Jesus got intelligently where he was going the Thomas the doubter member Tom is always question everything, so the Lord will you know what you're going how can we get there we don't have a map we don't know anything. When I get there if you've ever connected these verses because they're very famous versus the Jesus spoke to all the disciples in verse six and he said Thomas I know you don't norm going and I know you don't how to get there but let me just put your heart of these. I am away the truth and the life no man comes to the father but through me. Friends you are going to really struggle with that. If you're into a political correctness of our culture. It doesn't sound charitable to say that the Bible teaches that Jesus is the only way to heaven. But let me ask you this question.

What if he is, what if he is my friends. He is the only way to have and if you miss Jesus knew this getting a reservation in heaven and one day just like with Anna and her husband given to stand before the maître d' of heaven and he's going to say to you, I can't find your name in the book and you have to leave in the Bible even kind of gives us the script for that Jesus will say, depart from me. I never knew you, tell you with all sincerity in my heart. Almighty God is inviting you to the banquet.

He's inviting you to come home and receive his forgiveness. He wants you to become a Christian by receiving Jesus Christ on the cross who died for you pay the penalty for your sin, who was raised again the third day offers to all who put their trust in him salvation full and free. Have you done that you have your name written in the Lamb's book of life.

You know what, if you have been doing today and I will invite you to do one of the most important things about teaching on heaven is the opportunity to tell everybody about it in two keep going with this goal go to heaven and take as many people with you. As you can and if you aren't certain that you're going to spend your eternity in heaven. You can be certain of it today. Simply ask God to forgive you of your sin. Tell him that you believe Jesus Christ is his son. The son of God, who died on the cross for your sin and ask for forgiveness and he will forgive you the Bible says he will give you the gift of eternal life, and you have your reservation made for and I hope you will do that you can do it right now. Wherever you are. That simple prayer to ask God to forgive your sin can accept Jesus Christ as your Savior make all the difference as to where you spend forever will see you tomorrow today with United from Shadow Mountain Community Church and senior pastor Jeremiah please write and tell us how God is using Turning Point in your life right through us. It point PO Box 3858, San Diego, CA 92163 visit our website at David Jeremiah thought/ready copy of David's growth is really the mysteries of heaven better informed about your amazing gift of any amount Jeremiah study Bible and the English standard and new international version standard or lodgment in the new King James helpful not in articles by Dr. Jeremiah visit David Jeremiah adult/radio potato. Join us tomorrow as we continue the series revealing the mysteries of heaven taking time from teaching Christian